Friday, June 27, 2003

Here at the Beyond Northern Iraq weblog I try to maintain the highest journalistic standards of accuracy and impartiality. However, sometimes I can't help succumbing to a bit of good old fashioned bribery.

I had considered nominating Chris Moon as an Amputee of the Week because his story is remarkable. But Chris is a landmine victim and so am I and I thought it was just a bit too obvious.

However, when I received an e-mail from a reader offering to donate £100 to Phil's triathlon fund if I chose him....how could I refuse?

Chris is a former army officer who worked for a charity specialising in clearing landmines and the debris of war in Asia and Africa. He's one of the few westerners to have survived kidnap in Cambodia by the Khmer Rouge.

In Mozambique he was blown up walking in a supposedly cleared area resulting in the loss of his lower right arm and leg.

Less than a year after leaving hospital he completed the London Marathon and subsequently many of the toughest ultra-marathons in the world to support charities assisting the "disabled."

He is the first amputee to finish the Great Sahara Run and the Badwater 135 mile Death Valley Ultra (5 marathons back to back), which takes place in temperatures close to those recommended for slow cooking chicken.

Chris says of his accident: "In no way do I consider myself to be a victim, because I chose to be there.

"We all have to be responsible for our decisions in life. I have absolutely no regrets.

"I wanted something challenging in a totally different culture and environment. I was doing something that I felt made a difference, that was basically a humanitarian service and definitely worthwhile."

Bribery aside, Chris Moon is this week's inspirational Amputee of the Week.